WD-40 was first used by the military in the '50s to clean up Atlas missile parts. Today, it's used by people everywhere to clean up virtually everything in need of a gleam. But don't go spraying the stuff just anywhere. WD-40 can cause more harm than good to certain household items. The DIY enthusiasts at Stack Exchange chime in.

Question:

Answer: Hold Up...

WD-40 isn't actually a true lubricant. WD stands for "water displacing" and its main use is as a solvent or rust dissolver.

The lubricant-like properties of WD-40 come not from the substance itself, but from dissolving components. And the effect doesn't last.

WD-40 can be a good substance to start with — it can help clean up rust or other grime. But depending on what you're working with, you should probably follow up WD-40 with use of a true lubricant such as one based on silicone, grease, Teflon, or graphite.

Answer: Musical Instruments

Alternative Answer: Rubik's cubes

Serious cubers will lube their cubes with Jigaloo, CRC silicone, or even vaseline. They will point and laugh at noobs who use WD-40, which contains petroleum distillates (paint thinner) that can melt and seize a cube. Crazy, I know, but noobs keep doing it.